Shanghai to New Delhi Round-Trip Itinerary

Morning: Shanghai to New Delhi

Take your Shanghai– Delhi flight early enough to arrive in Delhi with the afternoon still usable; for an international departure, allow about three hours at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. On arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, budget roughly 1–1½ hours for immigration, baggage, and customs. A prepaid airport taxi is easiest with luggage—use the official counter inside the terminal and confirm the hotel address in writing. If you are staying near central Delhi, the Delhi Metro Airport Express is usually faster and cheaper than road traffic, though a taxi is more convenient after a long flight. Expect the transfer to central Delhi to take 30–60 minutes depending on traffic.

Late Afternoon: Old Delhi

After checking in and resting briefly, head to Jama Masjid, ideally around 4:00–4:30 p.m. The mosque is generally open to visitors outside prayer periods, but timings can shift, so check locally on arrival; modest clothing is required, shoes must be removed, and photography may carry a small fee. Allow about an hour to take in the immense courtyard and Old Delhi views. From there, continue into Chandni Chowk for roughly 1½ hours. A cycle-rickshaw is the most atmospheric way to cover the lanes without tiring yourself out, while walking lets you pause at the food stalls and tiny shops; agree on the fare before setting off and keep your phone and wallet secure in the crowds.

Evening: Mughlai Dinner and Sunset

Have dinner at Karim’s near Jama Masjid, a long-running Old Delhi institution known for Mughlai dishes such as mutton korma, kebabs, and naan. A meal should cost approximately ₹500–1,000 per person, excluding drinks; arrive before the main dinner rush and choose a freshly cooked dish rather than ordering too much after your flight. Finish with the Red Fort exterior and surrounding lanes at sunset, allowing about 45 minutes. The monument grounds may be closing by then, but the massive red sandstone walls are especially atmospheric in the evening. From Old Delhi, use a pre-booked taxi or app cab back to your hotel—allow 30–60 minutes, as traffic around Chandni Chowk can be slow.

Morning

Start around 7:30 a.m. at India Gate, when the lawns are cooler and the monument is relatively calm. Allow about an hour for a relaxed walk and photographs; the area is generally accessible throughout the day, and there is no charge to visit. From there, walk or take a short auto-rickshaw ride—roughly 5–10 minutes—to the National War Memorial, whose outdoor galleries and memorial walls are best appreciated before the midday heat. Entry is usually free, though security checks are thorough, so carry only essentials and avoid large bags.

Late Morning and Lunch

Continue by auto-rickshaw or taxi toward Rashtrapati Bhavan and Kartavya Path, around 10–15 minutes depending on police diversions and traffic. Spend an hour viewing the presidential complex and ceremonial avenue from permitted public areas; access to the building and gardens can vary by day, and visitors should follow current security restrictions rather than expect to approach the gates. For lunch, pause in nearby Khan Market, about 10 minutes by cab, where Perch Wine & Coffee Bar is a comfortable choice for coffee and a light meal. Keep this stop unhurried—Delhi’s central avenues are more enjoyable when you leave time for shade and people-watching.

Afternoon and Evening

After lunch, take a taxi to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in Connaught Place, generally 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. Dress modestly, cover your head, remove your shoes, and wash your feet before entering; the shrine is open daily, and the community kitchen offers a moving glimpse of service in action. Set aside about an hour, keeping your voice low and belongings secure. In the evening, continue by cab to Indian Accent at The Lodhi, usually 15–20 minutes from Connaught Place. A tasting-menu-style dinner is a memorable finish, with approximately ₹3,000–5,000 per person before drinks; reserve ahead, arrive on time, and allow about 1½ hours.

Morning

Start early at Qutub Minar, ideally around 7:00–7:30 a.m., before the stone courtyard becomes hot and tour groups arrive. Allow roughly two hours for the minaret, surrounding monuments, and the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque complex. The site usually opens around sunrise and closes at dusk; foreign visitors should budget approximately ₹600 for admission, with tickets best bought through the official Archaeological Survey of India portal or at the entrance. From central Delhi, a taxi or app cab takes about 35–50 minutes depending on traffic; the nearest metro is Qutub Minar on the Yellow Line, followed by an auto-rickshaw. Wear good shoes and carry water—there is little shade inside the main complex.

Walk or take a very short auto ride next to Mehrauli Archaeological Park, giving yourself about 1½ hours to explore its quieter ruins, including old tombs, gateways, and the atmospheric Rajon Ki Baoli stepwell. This is one of Delhi’s best places for a slower wander after the formal monument, but paths can be uneven and signage is limited, so download a map or use a guide if you want historical context. By late morning, take a cab toward Sanjay Van near Vasant Kunj—allow 15–25 minutes, depending on the gate and traffic—and keep the visit to a relaxed hour or 90 minutes. Enter in daylight, stay on established paths, and avoid wandering alone into the denser sections; the woodland is pleasant for birds and a break from the city, but facilities are sparse, so bring water and avoid expecting a café or reliable restroom.

Afternoon and Evening

Continue by cab to Dilli Haat INA, roughly 15–25 minutes from Sanjay Van. It is usually open from about 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a modest entry fee of around ₹100 for foreign visitors. Spend 1½ hours browsing textiles, Kashmiri shawls, pottery, jewellery, and rotating state-run craft stalls; prices are often negotiable, but compare a few stalls before buying. This is also a convenient late lunch stop—try a regional plate or snack from one of the food counters, while remembering that quality varies between stalls. Finish at Sagar Ratna in the INA/South Delhi area for dinner, generally around ₹400–800 per person. Order a crisp masala dosa, idli, or uttapam, and expect a straightforward vegetarian meal rather than a long, leisurely restaurant experience. Reserve a little energy for the ride back: evening traffic around INA, AIIMS, and the Ring Road can be heavy, so an app cab is easier than changing transport late at night.

Morning

Begin atHumayun’s around 8:00 a.m., before Delhi’s September heat builds. The Mughal garden-tomb complex usually opens from sunrise to sunset; allow about 1½ hours for the main tomb, surrounding pavilions, and quieter garden paths. Entry is typically around ₹50 for Indian visitors and ₹600 for foreign visitors, though fees can change. From here, take an auto-rickshaw or short cab ride—roughly 5–10 minutes—to Nizamuddin Dargah** in Nizamuddin West. The lanes become crowded and vehicles may stop short of the shrine, so wear comfortable shoes and dress modestly; cover shoulders and legs, remove footwear where required, and avoid carrying large bags. Visit respectfully for about an hour, ideally outside Thursday evening when qawwali crowds are much heavier.

Afternoon

Walk or take a short auto ride back toward Sunder Nursery, which lies beside Humayun’s Tomb. Spend around two hours among the landscaped gardens, restored Mughal-era monuments, ponds, and shaded pathways—it is one of the best places in Delhi to slow down after the intensity of Nizamuddin’s lanes. The park generally opens in the morning and stays open until evening, with entry commonly around ₹50–₹100; carry water and use the shaded areas in the early afternoon. For lunch, the nursery’s café options are convenient, or you can eat around Nizamuddin East before continuing. Later, take a cab to Lodhi Garden on Lodhi Road, allowing 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. Arrive by about 4:00 p.m. for a gentle 1½-hour walk around the 15th-century tombs and broad tree-lined lawns; entry is free, and the garden is usually open from early morning until evening.

Evening

Finish at Khan Market, about 10–15 minutes by cab from Lodhi Garden. Browse the compact lanes for books, design shops, skincare, and Indian labels, then settle into Perch Wine & Coffee Bar for a relaxed meal or choose Sly Granny for a livelier café-restaurant setting. Budget approximately ₹800–1,500 per person, more if ordering wine. Khan Market is easiest to explore on foot, but it can be busy after office hours; a cab pickup from the outer road is usually simpler than trying to park inside.

Morning

Begin at Lotus Temple in Kalkaji, ideally around 8:30 a.m. The Bahá’í House of Worship is usually open Tuesday–Sunday from about 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; it is closed on Mondays, and entry is free. Spend an hour walking through the white marble temple and landscaped grounds, keeping voices low inside. From there, take an auto-rickshaw or app cab for roughly 10–15 minutes to ISKCON Temple Delhi in East of Kailash. Allow about an hour for the devotional spaces and exhibitions; modest clothing is appreciated, and shoes must be left outside. The temple complex is also a convenient place for a simple vegetarian meal—budget around ₹200–500, depending on whether you choose the cafeteria or a fuller thali.

Afternoon

Continue by auto-rickshaw or cab, usually 10–20 minutes depending on traffic, to Lajpat Nagar Central Market. Give yourself about two hours to browse cotton clothing, dupattas, footwear, costume jewellery, and household textiles. This is a good place to practise friendly bargaining, but inspect fabric and stitching before paying; keep your phone and wallet secure in the busiest lanes. For a quick snack, look for chaat, momos, or a stuffed kulcha from a busy stall, generally ₹100–250. The market is commonly closed on Mondays, while individual shops often trade roughly from late morning until 8:00 p.m.

Evening

Head north to Kunzum Travel Café in Hauz Khas Village, allowing 30–45 minutes by cab in normal traffic. Settle in for an unhurried drink or light bite—approximately ₹300–700 per person—and bring a book or simply use the café’s travel atmosphere as a break from Delhi’s heat. Afterwards, wander through Hauz Khas Village and Deer Park, ideally in the cooler late afternoon. The park is free, while the village’s galleries, boutiques, and lanes are best enjoyed at a slow pace; the old reservoir and surrounding ruins are especially pleasant near sunset. Wear comfortable shoes, avoid isolated paths after dark, and arrange your return cab from the main village road rather than relying on a driver to navigate the narrow lanes.

Morning

Start at National Museum on Janpath around 9:30 a.m.; take the Delhi Metro to Central Secretariat and walk about 10 minutes, or use an app cab if you are staying farther south. Allow roughly 2½ hours for the Indus Valley, Buddhist, Mughal, and decorative-arts galleries. The museum is generally open Tuesday–Sunday, approximately 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., and closed on Mondays; budget around ₹20–₹650 depending on the ticket and audio-guide options. Security is strict, so carry only a small bag, and wear comfortable shoes—the collection is much larger than it first appears.

Late Morning and Lunch

From Janpath, walk or take an auto-rickshaw 10–15 minutes to Agrasen ki Baoli, tucked behind Hailey Lane near Connaught Place. This atmospheric 14th-century stepwell is free and usually open from around sunrise to early evening; 45 minutes is enough to descend the stairs, look up through the geometric arches, and enjoy a quieter pocket of central Delhi. Continue on foot for about 10 minutes to Jantar Mantar, where the monumental 18th-century instruments are best appreciated with a little shade and patience; allow an hour, with entry generally around ₹25–₹50 and opening hours roughly 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Have lunch at Saravana Bhavan in Connaught Place, a reliable choice for dosa, idli, vada, and South Indian thalis; expect ₹400–₹800 per person, and go slightly before or after the main lunch rush because tables fill quickly.

Afternoon and Evening

Keep the rest of the day unhurried in Connaught Place. Browse the inner and outer circles, duck into the Palika Bazaar area if you enjoy bargain hunting, and finish with coffee or a cool drink at United Coffee House Rewind or Cha Bar near Oxford Bookstore—both are useful air-conditioned pauses in September’s heat. Allow about 1½ hours for wandering rather than trying to cover every shop; central Delhi traffic can be slow, so use the Rajiv Chowk Metro station for your return and avoid booking a car during the evening rush. Carry water, expect occasional touts around the busier commercial lanes, and keep valuables in a zipped day bag.

Morning

Begin with a final, easy walk through Lodhi Colony Street Art District, where entire building façades have been transformed into large-scale murals. Allow about an hour, ideally around 7:30–8:30 a.m., while the streets are still relatively quiet and the light is good for photographs. The murals are spread around the lanes near Khanna Market and Meharchand Market rather than confined to one entrance, so wear comfortable shoes and use an auto-rickshaw or app cab for the short transfer afterward. There is no formal admission charge; avoid blocking residential entrances while taking photos.

Continue by car to The Garden of Five Senses in Saidulajab, roughly 25–40 minutes depending on traffic. Spend about 1½ hours among the landscaped paths, themed gardens, stone features, and shaded corners; September mornings can still become hot, so carry water and use the garden’s quieter areas for a slower final stroll. It generally opens around 9:00 a.m., with entry commonly around ₹35–₹50, though hours and prices can change. For lunch, head toward Aerocity, allowing another 25–40 minutes, and eat at a dependable airport-area restaurant such as Plum by Bent Chair or Kheer at Roseate House; budget approximately ₹700–1,500 per person for a lighter meal, and keep the timing relaxed rather than attempting another sightseeing stop.

Afternoon and Departure

After lunch, go directly to Indira Gandhi International Airport, usually a 10–20-minute ride from Aerocity depending on the terminal and traffic. For the New Delhi–Shanghai flight, leave central Delhi about 3½–4 hours before international departure; from Aerocity, aim to be at the terminal roughly three hours ahead. Confirm your terminal on the airline booking, since Delhi’s airport terminals are not interchangeable on foot, and keep passport, visa or transit documents, and baggage receipts accessible. Allow time for airline check-in, security, and immigration, and use the airport’s official taxi or app-based pickup points if you are not being dropped off.